*** The Schramms

DIZZY SPELL

(Checkered Past)

In theory, rock and roll will forever remain the domain of the young. But as the hipster population ages, a segment of the over-30 record-buying public will undoubtedly lose interest in baby bands cranking out imitations of music they once loved.

Enter Checkered Past, a Chicago label giving a home to talented musicians who've been around the block a few times, from arcane Americana (Johnny Dowd, Souled American) to the Byrdsy jangle of the Schramms. Dave Schramm's checkered past is an impressive one: a one-time member of Yo La Tengo, the Hoboken guitarist/singer/songwriter has lent his distinct guitar sound (like a slightly less manic Richard Lloyd) to the Replacements, Soul Asylum, Freedy Johnston, and Richard Buckner, in addition to several recordings with the band bearing his name. Dizzy Spell carves deeper into the Schramms' niche, where sonic musings are initiated strictly for the sake of the songs and everyone's content to amble along in Hammond organ and rootsy guitar glory. Schramm's likable melodies may not burn themselves into your brain, but his guitar playing will, and so will the strange appeal of his deep, nasal vocal twang and the insight of his lyrics, all of which Dizzy Spell offers in spades.

-- Meredith Ochs